BAGHDAD, Iraq - For the first time in three years, the Baghdad-Fallujah train was back in operation on Thursday, bringing joy to some travellers and headaches to others.
Captain Imad Hassun is one of the train operators. Rudaw's Halkawt Azeez joined him on a test drive from Baghdad to Fallujah.
The driver complained of many problems: obstacles along the tracks and outdated equipment. Piles of litter surround the railway. Children can be seen playing nearby and livestock are being fed alongside the tracks.
The people must be made aware, because there are many roads that were built on the railway since the railway had not been used for a long time," Captain Hassun said. "Many entrenched houses and shops have been built near the railway. Sometimes people park their vehicles right on the tracks. They leave their vehicles and do not care at all. This all causes delays."
The Baghdad-Fallujah line was stopped as part of government efforts to contain the spread of the deadly coronavirus.
The train is scheduled to leave Baghdad daily at 6:45 am and return at 5 pm. Delays of up to 30 minutes are expected due to the age of the train and technical issues.
Iraq’s first railway opened in 1914, moving passengers between Baghdad and Dujail, Samarra. The rail network expanded over the 20th century, but it suffered in times of conflict and instability. Trains and tracks were either destroyed or abandoned.
In late May, Iraq announced a multi-billion dollar road and rail project stretching from its southern shores to the border with Turkey in the north. The announcement was made at a “Development Road” conference in Baghdad with the participation of representatives from 10 regional countries.
The planned route will begin at al-Faw port and pass through 10 provinces on its way to the Fish Khabur border crossing with Turkey. It bypasses the Kurdistan Region.